Study: tomatoes reduce stroke risk

NEW YORK, N.Y.; October 8, 2012 (WPVI) -- For years, tomatoes have been touted as prostate cancer fighters

Now, it appears they may lower the risk of stroke, too.

Researchers in Finland found that men with higher levels of lycopene - the antioxidant that's so abundant in tomatoes - were nearly 60 per cent less likely to have a stroke.

They followed more than a thousand men between the ages of 45 and 65 for 12 years.

Among men with the lowest levels of lycopene, 25 of the 258 had a stroke. Among the 259 with the highest levels of lycopene, just 11 had strokes.

But dietitians say to get that lycopene benefits, it's better to do it with tomatoes, because supplements don't work as well.

The findings are in the journal "Neurology."

Experts say a balanced diet with more than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day could also help prevent many strokes.

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